MSHS Clinical Placements in India
Recently nine students and two staff members across the Doctor of Physiotherapy and Master of Clinical Audiology courses visited India for a two week clinical placement with the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore. Staff and students reflected on their experiences, shared below.
Rachael Connor - MSHS Clinical Placement Manager
A key aspect of these placements is the emphasis on collaboration across various health disciplines. India’s healthcare system, particularly in CMC intuitions, relies heavily on a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Students are learning firsthand the importance of cooperation between different health professionals. This collaboration has not only enriched the student’s understanding of the role each discipline plays in patient outcomes but also has helped developed their communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Students have witnessed the challenges like high patient volumes and limited resources and have been amazed at the ability of the health care professionals to maintain quality patient- and family centred approach. The reflections from the students on this CMC placements have revealed not only professional growth but also a sense of global citizenship and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of health across borders.
Ekjot Kaur Saini - Doctor of Physiotherapy student
This international placement at CMC has been eye- opening, revealing the challenges and triumphs of care in rural areas. It was fascinating to see how well supported the locals are from CMC’s rural program fundings for medical care, education and accessibility to healthcare.
Mitha Mathavan - Doctor of Physiotherapy student
Our trip to Vellore has been an opportunity to connect with community in a way that I have never before. CMC Vellore has implemented so many intricate and community-building initiatives, such as the vocational training program. This program has fostered numerous inspiring stories that I have had the pleasure of hearing in person.
Jenna Kassam - Doctor of Physiotherapy student
I am grateful for the opportunity to witness the valuable impact CMC Vellore has on its community. Their holistic approach to healthcare truly goes above and beyond to uplift patients and their families throughout their journey. This experience has been a privilege to be a part of and I am thankful for the opportunity to learn in this context.
Isobel Watkins - Doctor of Physiotherapy student
Something that has stood out to me at CMC is the importance of family involvement. Families will stay with patients throughout their rehabilitation and take an active role in their treatment - learning how to manage and progress their loved one’s function but also offering social and emotional support.
Milly Sadlier - Doctor of Physiotherapy Student
The community outreach that CMC Vellore provides has been so admirable. Making healthcare accessible to those who wouldn’t normally seek it in a culturally safe and sensitive way has been incredible to see.
CMC - CHAD Community Outreach Program.
Moe Sivagnanasunderam - Doctor of Physiotherapy
CMC's Vellore's approach to health-care and rehabilitation is holistic and patient centric, effectively involves family members and neighbours, and emphasises the importance of a biopsychosocial model. It also has incredible clinicians who aren't confined by their scope of practice, they are willing to learn different skills from the various disciplines and implement them as they see fit. Despite the massive patient population they are able to adapt and deliver effective health outcomes for their patients. Countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, etc that are classically and colloquially referred to as 'developed' have been placed on a pedestal when it comes to quality of healthcare, but they have a lot to learn from CMC Vellore's comprehensive approach.
Sumya Rashid - Master of Clinical Audiology
These first few days at CMC Vellore have been so amazing. I spent my time at the Rehabilitation Centre, the ENT Department, and the local communities. As a first-year audiology student, it was fascinating to see how audiology, physiotherapy and other health disciplines collaborate to provide a holistic approach to healthcare and wellbeing. I was able to observe hearing testing, hearing aid fittings, in-hospital hearing aid mould making and many more procedures that gave me more insight into how audiological care is delivered in a different setting. Recognising the interdisciplinary approach to healthcare at CMC has shown me the importance and benefits of collaboration in improving patient care and outcomes.
Dr Rachel Toovey - Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Our time at CMC Vellore has been an enriching and transformative experience. The CMC Vellore teams, patients and families have generously welcomed us into their wards, clinics, communities and homes. We have experienced innovative approaches to health across the care continuum while the importance of trust between practitioner/service and patient/family as well as the family-centred nature of care is clear across all CMC services. As an interdisciplinary group of staff and students, we have reflected daily on how the collaborative nature of the care is a key factor in managing challenges such as health inequities, high-patient loads and clinical complexity. Students have had the opportunity to learn from, with, and for CMC Vellore their project work on understanding wellbeing in CMC physiotherapy staff and supporting the transition back to work for people with spinal cord injuries, and their families.
CMC Rehabilitation Hospital, Mary Verghese Vocational Center.